Mistakes
Chapter 1: First Day
"It's only been one day. Ruby… I've made more mistakes than any man, woman, and child on this planet. But at this moment, I would not consider your appointment to leader to be one of them." Ozpin leans in closer to Ruby "Do you?" Ozpin leans back out, "Being a team leader isn't just a title you carry into battle, but a badge you wear constantly. If you're not always performing at your absolute best, then what reason do you give others to follow you?" turns away from Ruby, "You've been burdened with a daunting responsibility, Ruby. I advise you take some time, to think about how you will uphold it." As Ruby walks away, Ozpin sighs to himself, remembering about all the mistakes he made as leader years ago.
Back then Ozpin still had his black hair, not the silver all his students knew, and was not the headmaster of Beacon, but one of its modest new recruits who was just now stepping off the airship and onto the campus for the first time. As the young Ozpin entered the main hall, he bumped into what would become a familiar face.
As Ozpin sat up, he saw a hand extended out to him, "Sorry about that", he said as he took the orange haired boy's hand.
"Don't mention it", the boy said, smiling lightly, "Roman Torchwick"
"Ozpin", he reciprocated.
"No first or last name?" Roman asked.
"Nope, just Ozpin", he answered.
"Well in any case, nice to meet you"
"Same here", Ozpin smiled a bit before turning to the headmaster, a controversial figure due to his fauna heritage, before he began speaking, his lion ears being murmured about for a moment.
"I'd like to introduce myself. I am headmaster Leoni. Today you have all taken a big leap into becoming the next generation of Vale's hunters and huntresses, and it brings me joy to welcome you all to my academy. First, I'd like to say a few words before I answer any questions you may have. This school's job is to offer you two things, a place to study and learn, and experience. We've enjoyed peace within our territories due to the warriors we've trained, and it's a heavy burden on your shoulders to protect our kingdom. I say this not to discourage you, but to not reassure you of that fact would be irresponsible of me as both your teacher and headmaster. Now, any questions?" he announced. Roman raised his hand, "Yes, you with the orange hair"
"What kind of enemies will we be facing, and will there be any difference in the enemies we face depending on our year of enrollment, such as a person in their fourth year and someone in their first year?", he asked away.
"Excellent question. You will be facing a very diverse range of enemies, ranging all the way from smaller grimm you should have no trouble with to giant grimm such as death stalkers. As for determining which enemies you will face, that is determined by a multitude of things. Most of the time though, teams in the same year will face the same tier. Any more questions?" he answered. No one held a hand up. If that is the case, then the teaching staff will be showing you to where you'll be sleeping tonight. Teams will be sorted out today and tomorrow."
As Ozpin walked back to his office, he remembered walking down these halls as he, Roman, and the rest of the students were lead to the mail hall. He and Roman had become friends instantly, and talked as they lay there that night.
"So why did you come here Ozpin?" Roman asked him.
"I want to be a leader, someone people can count on to come up with a plan and clear away the confusion in a crisis. What about you Roman?" He told his friend.
"That's something I'm still debating. I guess you could say I want to have the power to help others", he chuckled.
"Roman…", Ozpin said to himself as he looked at the empty hall. He had stopped and taken a second to look at it on his way back to his office, "Why did you have to change so much…", Ozpin asked himself. Why he changed, Ozpin knew, and knew that nothing could restore the current Roman to his former self.